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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Trujillo

DATE TYPED 2-17-05

HB 611

SHORT TITLE Santa Fe School Science Instruction

SB

ANALYST Segura

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$20.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB667

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 611 appropriates $20.0 to the PED to contract with a non-profit organization to im-

prove science education in Santa Fe.

Significant Issues

According to PED, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) suggests that elementary

students learn science best when involved in first-hand exploration and inquiry/process skills are

nurtured.

In addition, the NSTA recommends that elementary science classes include activity based,

hands-on experiences for all children.

House Bill 611 -- Page 2

A National Assessment of Educational Progress teacher survey data show that only about half of

middle school eighth grade students across the nation design experiments or investigations , with

only about 15% doing so on a monthly basis.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 611 supports the implementation of the content standards and benchmarks in science.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 611 appropriates $20.0 from the general fund and is recurring.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

PED would be required to apply accepted procurement procedures and monitor the program per-

formance.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 611 duplicates Senate Bill 667.

RS/lg